Factors affecting student satisfaction with an undergraduate research project

Phizackerley, Joseph, Long, Ruby and Field, James ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5462-4156 2025. Factors affecting student satisfaction with an undergraduate research project. European Journal of Dental Education 10.1111/eje.70050

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Abstract

Aim The aim of this research paper was to explore Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) undergraduate student views of a research project (RP) that comprises part of the curriculum at Cardiff University (CU), Wales. Method 4th and 5th year students undertaking the RP were issued an anonymous cross-sectional survey. 66 responses were obtained, giving a response rate of 52%. The questionnaire consisted of Likert-style items, a satisfaction score and free-text responses. Jamovi and Excel were used to conduct statistical analysis (multiple linear regression, t-tests and Cronbach's alpha) of the results along with thematic analysis of the free-text responses. Results Students generally had a positive response to the RP and felt that the RP helped to improve their research skills. The responses showed a positive correlation between satisfaction and student input into the project topic (estimate = 0.84, p = 0.03), understanding of the purpose of the RP (estimate = 0.69, p = 0.023), perceived improvement of research skills (estimate = 0.97, p < 0.001), and how prepared students felt to begin their project (estimate = 0.92, p = 0.004). There were, however, areas of the RP which students found challenging, such as the balance of completing the RP alongside clinical time, as well as arranging timely interactions with supervisors. Conclusions Overall, students had a positive outlook on the RP, with students who felt more prepared to begin the project and those who felt the project had improved their skills perceiving the project more favourably. This paper provides some insight into how such a project could be improved, for example, considering an increased timeline or a group format of the project along with future research directions.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Dentistry
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1396-5883
Date of Acceptance:	12 September 2025
Last Modified:	26 Sep 2025 14:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/181332

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